Happy Lohri!

Today’s Lohri, the bonfire festival that marks the end of winter and sets off a battery of harvest/ fertility festivals – variously celebrated as Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, Hadaga, Pongal, Magh Bihu, Poki, Mariamman… The fun and gaiety associated with these festivities was amply reflected in the joyous atmosphere at the Garden as Kishor Babani returned (right pic) from Goa this morning, bringing added cheer with his collection of music and jokes. He was on vacation, with family, for three days.
So contagious has our presence in the Garden become that passersby are increasingly straying in from the walking track for the joy of being part of our group – even if it were for a brief while. There are also some who want to join as ‘regular members’ and Srichand Arora becomes hard-pressed having to explain that membership has been frozen lately. A lady today asked him if she could just join for the exercises and when he gallantly welcomed her with open arms, she said she’d need to ask her husband! Significantly, such odd balls also add to our morning merriment.
In the evening today, a Lohri bonfire will be lit at the Garden – just after sunset. All are invited.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Twanu sab nu, Lohri di bahut-bahut vadhaiyaan. Twadi zindagi te saal, bahut chungey hovein. Til, rewdiyan, gajak ne mungfaliyan Lohri wichh pao, te tussi bhi bharpoor maza lo!
* Blog Monster, Congrats! Our blog today hit another landmark number, 70,000 -- soon to run into a six digit hit figure!! Great going and reporting!!!